Jericho: Winter's End
And now for the show that did work for me. All the slow world-building is finally paying off, here.
The title of this week's episode might make you think that things are starting to improve, but you'd be mistaken. The world seems even grimmer than it did in the previous episodes. Last time I wrote about this show, I commented that it doesn't quite engage me on an emotional level, but this week, all the groundwork and worldbuilding payed off, and I was on the edge of my chair.
I even cared about Hawkins' side of the story (and was pleased to see that Darcy and the children had not left Jericho altogether, which seemed like a weird thing to do last week -- they were just living in the shelter, instead). I mean, it seemed a little weird that the deputy would be checking up on Sarah Mason, considering that my feeling is that Gray Anderson would be happy if all the refugees disappeared, but I bought it for the purpose of watching the episode.
I really loved the way the Dale storyline and the larger storyline about the wind turbines worked together: the townspeople and the farmer Dale was dealing with are both in the same situation, forced to promise something they don't want to deliver. And in both cases, they end up having to give what they didn't want. It's interesting because it's very black, but it's also very hopeful -- contracts do have weight, and making a contract and then trying to back out of it will have repercussions. I mean, it's terrible for the town, having to give up hostages, but in the larger scale of things it might be a good sign. And I love the fact that something so apparently dark might actually be a sign that better times might come.
I like Dale's evolution into the ruthless master criminal, and loved his last scene, lying there in front of the fire, with that girl telling him how everything will turn out fine. Dale is made for this new world, it seems, and I don't mean that in a good way.
The hostages, by the way -- because that's what they are -- and by the way, I really want an episode or two centering on them and maybe their escape with Heather -- that was another grim touch. Human lives are just collateral for food and energy. (I do think that sending Stan off was a bit dumb, because he's a farmer -- won't they need him to get that spring crop in, when the time comes? it seems to me they could have sent someone less useful.) I love that even the town's apparent allies need to drive a hard bargain. I wonder whether the people of Jericho are a bit too soft to live -- although a year or two from now, if Jericho makes it, they'll have the upper hand. They only need turbines once, but Myles will need food and salt every year, it seems. So in a sense, driving such a hard bargain and then taking hostages was probably shortsighted on their part; I'd like to see repercussions, if the show lasts that long.
Or maybe Johnston will turn up in his tank at some point to renegotiate. I'd like that, as well.
And you know, April and her child died, and she died from a condition that is serious but not necessarily life-threatening. She died because they don't have enough energy, or enough supplies, or enough talent (despite the med student, and Kenchy coming through). I like that they're taking the apocalypse seriously enough to let people die (especially, mothers and babies). And now Eric and Jake have completely reversed their positions -- Eric, already the undutiful son, who is leaving (and will be redeemed by what happens out there, I predict), and Jake, the son who stays to support his parents.
I'm kind of glad that Bonnie and Mimi are bonding a bit, especially now that Stan is a hostage. I am very fond of Mimi's character, and loved her final scene with Stan -- the way her voice got higher and higher with nervousness. She's such a real person, and I like that she's not very loveable, and knows it. And I like that she's being forced to become a better person -- volunteering at the medical center, or reaching out to Bonnie -- these aren't things that come easily to her at all.
All in all, an excellent episode: I'd say the best yet.
I think I need icons for this show, now, too.
The title of this week's episode might make you think that things are starting to improve, but you'd be mistaken. The world seems even grimmer than it did in the previous episodes. Last time I wrote about this show, I commented that it doesn't quite engage me on an emotional level, but this week, all the groundwork and worldbuilding payed off, and I was on the edge of my chair.
I even cared about Hawkins' side of the story (and was pleased to see that Darcy and the children had not left Jericho altogether, which seemed like a weird thing to do last week -- they were just living in the shelter, instead). I mean, it seemed a little weird that the deputy would be checking up on Sarah Mason, considering that my feeling is that Gray Anderson would be happy if all the refugees disappeared, but I bought it for the purpose of watching the episode.
I really loved the way the Dale storyline and the larger storyline about the wind turbines worked together: the townspeople and the farmer Dale was dealing with are both in the same situation, forced to promise something they don't want to deliver. And in both cases, they end up having to give what they didn't want. It's interesting because it's very black, but it's also very hopeful -- contracts do have weight, and making a contract and then trying to back out of it will have repercussions. I mean, it's terrible for the town, having to give up hostages, but in the larger scale of things it might be a good sign. And I love the fact that something so apparently dark might actually be a sign that better times might come.
I like Dale's evolution into the ruthless master criminal, and loved his last scene, lying there in front of the fire, with that girl telling him how everything will turn out fine. Dale is made for this new world, it seems, and I don't mean that in a good way.
The hostages, by the way -- because that's what they are -- and by the way, I really want an episode or two centering on them and maybe their escape with Heather -- that was another grim touch. Human lives are just collateral for food and energy. (I do think that sending Stan off was a bit dumb, because he's a farmer -- won't they need him to get that spring crop in, when the time comes? it seems to me they could have sent someone less useful.) I love that even the town's apparent allies need to drive a hard bargain. I wonder whether the people of Jericho are a bit too soft to live -- although a year or two from now, if Jericho makes it, they'll have the upper hand. They only need turbines once, but Myles will need food and salt every year, it seems. So in a sense, driving such a hard bargain and then taking hostages was probably shortsighted on their part; I'd like to see repercussions, if the show lasts that long.
Or maybe Johnston will turn up in his tank at some point to renegotiate. I'd like that, as well.
And you know, April and her child died, and she died from a condition that is serious but not necessarily life-threatening. She died because they don't have enough energy, or enough supplies, or enough talent (despite the med student, and Kenchy coming through). I like that they're taking the apocalypse seriously enough to let people die (especially, mothers and babies). And now Eric and Jake have completely reversed their positions -- Eric, already the undutiful son, who is leaving (and will be redeemed by what happens out there, I predict), and Jake, the son who stays to support his parents.
I'm kind of glad that Bonnie and Mimi are bonding a bit, especially now that Stan is a hostage. I am very fond of Mimi's character, and loved her final scene with Stan -- the way her voice got higher and higher with nervousness. She's such a real person, and I like that she's not very loveable, and knows it. And I like that she's being forced to become a better person -- volunteering at the medical center, or reaching out to Bonnie -- these aren't things that come easily to her at all.
All in all, an excellent episode: I'd say the best yet.
I think I need icons for this show, now, too.